Colin Kaepernick: In His Own Words

Ben Meiselas welcomes his former client, Colin Kaepernick, to discuss Kaepernick's new book, "The Perilous Fight," and delve into the complexities of political and corporate power structures, the importance of collective action, and the integrity of leadership in the face of adversity.

The Perilous Fight: Targeting a Private Citizen

Meiselas opens by introducing Kaepernick as a very special guest, noting their long-standing relationship as client and attorney, particularly during Kaepernick's case against the NFL. He emphasizes their continued collaboration on various initiatives, including the "Know Your Rights Camp" and the "Autopsy Initiative." Meiselas highlights Kaepernick's new book, "The Perilous Fight," urging listeners to purchase it. He immediately connects the book's title to the current political climate, describing the "psychological torture" Americans are experiencing, which Kaepernick warned against when he took a knee. Meiselas reminds the audience that during the first Trump regime, Donald Trump directly targeted Kaepernick, a private citizen and superstar quarterback, in a public speech in Huntsville, Alabama, urging NFL owners to "get that son of a bitch off the field." This marked one of the first instances of a president publicly attacking a private citizen and athlete. Meiselas plays a clip of Trump's speech, where he states, "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say get that son of a bitch off the field, right now, out, he's fired." Meiselas then asks Kaepernick to reflect on that moment and its relevance to the current political landscape, where such actions have become commonplace.

Kaepernick describes that moment as an "initial insight into presidential overreach and targeting of private citizens." He notes that it was the first time the willingness to combat such overreach was truly tested. He also highlights the complicity of corporate partners, particularly the NFL, in their close relationship with Donald Trump, supporting his actions and helping him escalate them. Kaepernick stresses the importance of understanding that governmental overreach into private citizens' employment and rights is unacceptable. He points out that the current administration not only demonstrates a willingness but an "excitement to be able to target individual citizens." This, he argues, sends a chilling message and is something that society must collectively combat.